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As the beads were pulled under my fingers, I offered a prayer of gratitude that all my fingers were able to move, that I was almost OK and that I would be able to go home to care for my darling husband. My heart was full and quiet. I was praying for the patients, the doctors, nurses and other staff when a staff person peeked at me and said, “You don’t look like you should be here! May I ask what you are doing? Are you a Roman Catholic?” I told her proudly that I was a Presbyterian, that I knew nothing of rosaries and these were just beads to help me concentrate as I pray. I handed them to her, sharing my prayers. Taken aback, she said, “The patients are not usually praying for us!” She held the beads a moment and asked, “May I borrow them a minute?” I nodded and she left. A few minutes later four women arrived and asked me about my beads. They thanked me and returned to duty. Than an RN, another stranger, slipped in quietly and asked who she could speak to about using the idea with her church and the senior citizens of her community. A few little beads and a piece of ribbon and the Lord moved His kingdom among some believers in that hospital. I was awed to have been used as a messenger.
Making Prayer Beads |
In August 2003 I was hospitalized in the ICU for a
stroke. While I was perched in my bed, looking around at all the other stroke
victims, all so much younger than I, I reached for the prayer beads, which had
been given me. 
